Families, groups, MLAs step up pressure: Community Living gaps highlighted

BC-CLAG marks key anniversary

MOMS will join a delegation of BC-CLAG reps and families at the BC Legislature on May 18 to mark a key milestone in CLBC's history and remind the BC Premier and elected representatives that families have been waiting for seven years for their promises to be honoured.

On May 19, 2004, then Deputy Premier Christy Clark introduced legislation to create Community Living BC, promising that:

" ...This legislation gives British Columbians with developmental disabilities and their families better options and more opportunities in their communities. They'll be able to look forward to a safer, healthier and better quality of life."

Today, Premier Clark''s 2004 promises remain unfulfilled, with fewer options and opportunities, cuts, denial of support and growing alarm over the safety, health and quality of life of vulnerable adults and families.

The anniversary coincides with Ms. Clark’s mandate to return to the Legislature as British Columbia’s new Premier and MLA for Vancouver Point Grey. Despite promises to listen and to put families first, Premier Clark and her Minister for Community Living have so far not agreed to meet with or respond to the concerns and reccomendations shared by families and community living stakeholders through BC-CLAG. Read the BC-CLAG press release

Recent media reports

The Victoria Times Colonist has a story here and an excellent letter to the editor on the concerns about cuts in adult community living and how the Minister misrepresented the increasingly vocal concerns voiced by community groups.

In the Fraser Valley, meanwhile, parent groups were also instrumental in helping to generate a series of reports in the local papers highlighting the dire challenges facing families who find thmselves in a "black hole" with all supports cut off once their children turn 19.

But Minister Harry Bloy responded that there would be no help forthcoming until provincial revenues increase (this despite revelations that the supposedly "revenue neutral" HST is actually bringing in millions more in revenues to Provincial coffers).

What you can do

Last week we asked families to come forward with their stories, and we want to thank everyone who contacted us - we were overwhelmed by the stories of enormous hardship and the brave efforts of families who continue to fight on. We will keep the contacts of all those who connected with us so that we can let you know of any further media opportunities.